REWAS 2022: Sustainable Production and Development Perspectives: On-Demand Oral Presentations
Sponsored by: TMS Extraction and Processing Division, TMS: Recycling and Environmental Technologies Committee, TMS: Pyrometallurgy Committee
Program Organizers: Mertol Gokelma, Izmir Institute of Technology; Mingming Zhang, Baowu Ouyeel Co. Ltd; Elsa Olivetti, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Gerardo Alvear, Glencore Technology; Camille Fleuriault, Eramet Norway; Kaka Ma, Colorado State University
Monday 8:00 AM
March 14, 2022
Room: Energy & Environment (including REWAS 2022 Symposia)
Location: On-Demand Room
A Review of Comprehensive Utilization of Copper Slag of China: Jun Hao1; Zhihe Dou1; Ting-an Zhang1; Kun Wang1; 1Northeastern University
With the development of the economy and the increasing annual output of copper, the treatment of copper slag has become a more and more critical issue. Copper slag contains valuable metals such as iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc, which have extremely high recycling value. Physical, hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods for valuable metals recovery from copper slag are particularly reviewed in this paper. Besides, this paper then introduces a novel technique proposed by Northeastern University of China which can achieve high value and slag-free treatment of molten copper slag. It is much preferred over the current methods. This method significantly increases the added value of the product and greatly reduces energy consumption. This paper reviews the comprehensive utilization of copper slag and provides some recommendations for the large-scale and green utilization of copper slag in the future.
From Aluminium Industry Waste to Soil Amendment for Cash Crops and Fertiliser for Lowbush Blueberry: Julie Élize Guérin1; Lotfi Khiari2; Abdelkarim Lajili2; Claude Villeneuve3; Patrick Faubert3; Marie-Christine Simard1; Marc-André Seguin1; Jean Lavoie1; Stéphane Poirier1; 1Rio Tinto; 2Laval University; 3Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Rio Tinto's Aluminium division operates smelters in Canada, primarily in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region in Quebec, where its entire aluminium production line generates two specific calcium sulphate (CaSO4) by-products. The aqua-catalysed hydrated lime (CHAC) is the by-product of the sulphur scrubber at the coke calciner plant, and the neutralised synthetic anhydrite (SA) is derived from the industrial processes of the chemical transformation of calcium fluoride into aluminium fluoride, which is used in the manufacture of electrolysis bath for aluminium production. Since 2015, several research projects have been developed at the Rio Tinto - Arvida Research and Development Center, in collaboration with local universities, to evaluate the potential of these by-products as a liming agent for various agroecosystems and as a certified calcium-rich fertiliser for lowbush blueberries, our regional flagship. The aim of this paper is to present the research and development programme that has led to the agricultural recycling of these two by-products.
Validation of an Innovative On-line Legionella Detection Technology in Water-cooling Systems: Marie-Christine Simard1; Geneviève Doyer1; 1Rio Tinto
Legionella spp is a family of pathogenic bacteria that is responsible for Legionellosis. In Europe, Australia and the USA there are about 10–15 cases detected per million population per year. The transmission is observed by inhalation of contaminated bioaerosols. Water cooling systems are high risk because the conditions are optimal for the Legionella development and they are proned to generate aerosols. Legionella in water cooling systems could have ESG and production impacts. The method currently used to quantify Legionella in water systems requires approximately 14 days to receive the analysis report, which results in action delays and increases the risk of outbreaks. BioAlert technology is a technology unique in the world which allows to measure Legionella directly on site and to receive the result automatically in 4 hours. Rio Tinto Aluminum was the first industry to demonstrate the technology's feasibility in a heavy industry cooling water process.